Contributions
426 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fifth sitting)We have no issue with the technical amendments. However, for us the crucial issue in the Bill is driving an environment of positive investment, and a system in the United Kingdom…09 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fifth sitting)Would the Minister be kind enough to reflect on a situation currently at play in the market, whereby Phoenix Group is withdrawing the management of billions of pounds from…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial StrategyI am sure that the Minister, as a fellow Devon MP, will be only too well aware of our thriving high-tech cluster and the support it provides to the defence industry from its base…08 Sept 2025HANSARD Renters’ Rights BillIn Torbay, we have almost 50% more people who rent in the private sector than the national average. While the vast majority of landlords are good landlords, sadly there are some…08 Sept 2025HANSARD Remote Coastal CommunitiesWhen I visit teachers in Torbay secondary schools, I reflect on how there is often a bay mentality and a lack of aspiration for youngsters. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that…08 Sept 2025HANSARD Remote Coastal CommunitiesI am concerned about the Getting It Right First Time NHS template that the health service applies to our health services in Devon and Cornwall. It is a system that is very much…08 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)I start by wishing the Minister a happy birthday. [Hon. Members: “Hear, Hear.”] I am sure that for all of his life he has wanted to be sitting on a pensions Bill Committee on his…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)As the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, and echoing the hon. Member for Wyre Forest, I broadly welcome the thrust of the Bill. We heard in evidence that a lot of the industry is…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)The Minister spoke of a couple of opportunities for regulation in this area, and we heard oral evidence about how an awful lot of this Bill is to be drawn out in secondary…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)As the Lib Dem spokesman for this part of the Bill, I welcome the direction of travel.04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)I very much echo what the hon. Member for Wyre Forest said. Clearly, surpluses have built up over a number of years since the last crash. There has been a level of overcaution. It…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)I rise to speak in respect of amendments 265 and 267, which echo the issues already covered by the shadow Minister. Allowing 60 days’ notice to scheme members is extremely…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)Can the Minister give us some timescales? I asked previously about timescales, regulations and secondary legislation. I would be grateful if the Minister could address that.04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fourth sitting)I am happy for the Committee to proceed.04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fourth sitting)I beg to move amendment 264, in clause 9, page 9, line 4, at end insert— “(e) Where regulations under subsection (2A) lower the funding threshold for a surplus payment to below…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fourth sitting)I should start by saying that I do not recognise the purist approach that we have heard from the hon. Member for Aberdeen North. This is an issue close to my heart, because my…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fourth sitting)Amendment 264 would provide a backstop and a check where there are potential extractions and buy-outs. It would give an opportunity for the Secretary of State to cast an eye over…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fourth sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn . Amendment proposed : 258, in clause 9, page 9, line 21, leave out “in subsection (2A), after…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fourth sitting)I beg to move amendment 269, in clause 10, page 10, line 10, at end insert— “(aa) make, publish and keep under review the consistency of— (i) regulated VFM schemes, or (ii)…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fourth sitting)In tabling these amendments, we wanted to make sure that we calibrated them carefully. It is not about giving a clear instruction that says, “You must do this”; it is about…04 Sept 2025